As Germany’s leader Hitler began to flex his dominance in Europe the outbreak of war was at boiling point. We didn’t have a television or a radio. Only a few people could afford these luxuries. But nonetheless, we knew that the ‘great war calamity’ of the Second World War would be with us soon.

At the town piazza we could hear on the loud speakers Mussolini’s voice delivering speeches, telling us things we did not much understand. Fascism had taken a very strong hold in Italy, and everywhere the authorities gathered all the young sixteen to eighteen year olds to join the pre-military forces. They taught boys how to march and about all the military rules and how to use guns, and instilled into them one’s love for “King and Country”.

As it got closer to the year 1940 Italy started calling the able young men to the army, air force and navy. The nation began preparing for war. At this point I had to make a very hard decision of my own. I knew I would be sent to war one way or the other, so I decided to go to train inthe Italian Navy as a Warrant Officer, and signed up for five years. I chose this path so that one day if I came out alive after the war I would at least have a future career in the military.

On 15th November 1939 with a small suitcase I embraced my mother and family goodbye and I was on my way to the Navy base near Messina on the island of Sicily. From Messina forty of us were despatched two days by train to the Navy college at Paola near the northern border with Yugoslavia. At this time of year it was very cold, up to sixteen degrees below zero.

There I started my experience with many strange young people I’d never met before from all over Italy of different personalities and backgrounds. I had to adapt myself to other people in order to survive. Some came from big cities, others from small towns or farms, all with different Italian dialects and not much experience of life. Now we were under strict military rules and were expected to absorb in ten months as much as possible about maritime life in wartime.

Our seniors rigorously trained us in the strictest manner to have discipline, cleanliness, obedience, respect of superiors and so on. During those ten months we went through ‘hell-and-high-water’ with exercises including marching, marine laws, navigation, official duties, Warrant Officer ranking levels and more. There was a bit of everything in those short ten months. They were in a hurry I suppose, to send us off to war on the ships. Il ‘Duce’ [Mussolini] needed his army quickly since he’d committed Italy to a German alliance with the intention of invading Austria, Holland and other northern European countries.

After our exams we were promoted to First Class Marines. At the graduation ceremony we received orders to take two weeks’ leave before reporting back to depart for various destinations. I was assigned to a cruiser named ‘Raimond Montecuccoli’ at the navy base of Taranto. With this very sudden change of events in our lives we felt we’d well and truly lost our youthful innocence in order to become hardened military men ready for battle. We were ordered to serve our country no matter what.

After a year away from our small town I knew my impending mission in the war would be a new experience for me. However for the moment I was bound for my home in Calabria, my native place, and knew I would have to make the most of this brief visit. With me on the train were some close friends that I had made during my training, and after this break together I felt that I may never see them again.

As the train got closer to my home town, a feeling of excitement took over. I started to recognise landmarks. From Falerna, a little town close to the beach, I could see the hills of my native place. We stopped at St Eufemia Lamezia station and after saying goodbye to my friends I took another train going to Catanzaro before reaching Sambiase. At the Sambiase station my brother, cousin Gennaro and some friends were waiting for me. We embraced and after exchanging some news we started walking up to the town piazza Florentino. Ten minutes later I was back home, where my mother upon seeing me, ran straight into my arms crying with joy. Giovanna and Concetta hugged me too.

Next day I went to have a look at the family properties in Sansidero and on Mount Saint Elia where we owned some olive groves. I found that in my absence they were not looking so well. My friend Luigi was at the University in Rome now, so I missed out seeing him on this trip. I went to see a movie at the only cinema we had, and I paid a visit to cousin Rosetta who ran a little tobacco shop for her father. Soon I had to kiss my mother and family goodbye. The others and I were off to war.

I was posted on the light cruiser Raimondo Montecuccoli, which was in the 7th Division of the 2nd Squad, and we were under the direct command of Admiral Sanconetti. My life was suddenly on the edge all the time now that the war was escalating. Germany had overrun France, Holland and other nations of northern Europe. Italian troops were now fighting in Russia where thousands died in vain. Germany was also at war with Great Britain, which at this point was in trouble with the German Air Force dropping bombs over London. The Italian navy were trying to stop the English ships taking supplies to their African troops, so battles were raging in the Mediterranean Sea and the Montecuccoli was involved in many of these.

On one occasion the Montecuccoli got involved in naval combat with the English war ships at Pantelleria, near the Island of Malta which was still occupied by England. Here they had big guns spitting fire up to thirty kilometres distance. Early on the morning of 15th of June 1942, we intercepted a convoy of six war ships and six cargo ships going in the direction of Africa. Soon our big guns started sending volleys in their direction and the sea came alive in the early hours of the morning. The sound of gunfire was a frightening experience. In the number one gun tower where my battle station was, everyone was doing their part like a well-oiled machine. Suddenly a big explosion shook our ship on the stern but we kept on loading and shooting like nothing had happened. Inside the thick metal gun tower we could not see anything and we were receiving orders from the command turret through the intercom. When the guns stopped we had some breathing space and just looked at each other. With startled eyes we wanted to know where the big blast had hit but we were not allowed to move from our post. Some time passed and at last on the loud speaker we were told that we had been hit on the stern, that the damage had been very small and that we had some wounded men—two very badly. For what seemed an eternity we kept still, until finally the battle station order was lifted. We rushed out and went to look where the shell had hit. Luckily a lot of the damage was above sea level. The ship was not in any danger. We learned that we had lost one frigate in the battle and were now headed to the Naples port for repairs and to take the wounded to hospital.

During the night we slipped through the Sicilian and Calabrian canals. When the sun came up the next day we could see Italy’s coastline on the horizon over the Mediterranean waters. We finally reached the port of Naples’s that afternoon. The port authorities were waiting to greet us with flags flying everywhere and the Navy band playing the Italian national anthem. After we tied to the pier, our Capitan and other officers went on shore. Some of us were allowed out too for a few hours. For about a week we stayed in Naples while the repairs were going on. We had a good time in Naples.

Soon our stay was over and we were again on the open sea in formation with the other war ships. The cruiser Garibaldi was in front with a Rear Admiral on board, which we knew by his little blue flag with a star flying on the mast. By the evening we could just recognise the outline of Sicily. We had navigated all day and now we were sailing through the Messina canal. This naval strategy meant only one thing to me. We were waiting for the enemy to show up. Night came again and we kept going, glued to our battle stations. Then, towards midnight the alert was lifted and we went to have a rest.

In the morning at 9.00 hours I reported for guard-duty with another sailor to the powerful ‘field-glasses’ station, right on top the central command turret. From here you could see around for miles. During the night, we must have parted from our group of one cruiser and two escort frigates. I couldn’t see the others any more, so they must have changed course. The sea and the sky were grey that morning and there was a heavy silence. Now we were isolated. Four hours passed before we were relieved from our station, so I went straight down to warm up with a coffee and found out that we were going to Taranto to dock for the evening. As soon as we arrived at Taranto I was told that from midnight I would be on duty for four hours on the motorboat, guarding the ship from enemy sabotage. Our crew consisted of four sailors, a sergeant, two spotlights, a machine gun and for each of us a rifle. At this point I would like to describe how our sleeping quarters were organized back on the cruiser ship.

During the day the hammocks were tied up in numerical order in a bundle along the walls. There were poles fitted into holes in the floor and ceiling, each with three hooks to hang the hammocks from at night. Three sailors would sleep vertically above each other against the walls. At 6.00 hours we had ten minutes to put everything away in numerical order to make space again for dinner and breakfast.

Sicily was the most vulnerable from enemy attacks so we circled round the Island once and then sailed back to Naples again. There we were told that Mussolini - the big man himself - was coming to award us decorations for the Pantelleria battle. We docked in Naples late at night and in the morning the ship was alive with activity, cleaning everything in sight. On the 15th day of June 1942, we had a chance to see in person our Duce.  The pier was full of security people standing on all the vantage points. On board we had orders to dress in parade uniform and go down to our stand on the pier. The same activities were going on in all the other ships. At about 10.00 hours we could hear sirens approaching and then four black limousines came into view. All eyes were stuck on those cars. To see Mussolini was not an everyday occasion. Il Duce got out of the second car, stepped up to an assembled lectern and delivered a short speech, saying that he was very proud of us, among other things. He then attached the medals on each officer’s coat in the front line and away he went. Those of us not in the front got our decorations afterwards plus a booklet with photos and the story of the battle.

That evening was like a party for us with special food and drinks while some went on leave in town. When I took my leave my old mate from the naval college, Pisaniello, the only school-mate of mine onboard. First we went where all the sailors go as soon as they leave ship … to satisfy their ‘physical needs’. Then we went to see a movie and take a walk before we had to report back at 1800 hours. We did not stay long in Naples and soon we found ourselves on open sea at battle stations again. The war was raging and there was no time for niceties for us. We were again on the open sea, trailing another light cruiser the Garibaldi, and escorted with five other frigates*(may have been Regolo Class Light Cruisers which were fast but unarmed or a squadron of destroyers). We were guarding our country.

By now the U.S.A had joined the war against Japan and to help England. The Americans could produce war machines like airplanes, tanks, ships, bombs, and send troops by the thousands in no time. The war we were now facing enlisted Canadian and Australian soldiers, and many more nations too because of England’s colonial ties. Italy found itself deeper in trouble. Until this point, Germany had the most powerful war machine of our time, mechanically and mentally. But the deadly ring of all the aligned forces with the backing of the U.S. started to strangle us. The German war machine started to crumble under this super-power. It was a sad day for Mussolini, realizing what he had done to us. We on the ship also realised we were little pawns and could not do anything, only obey orders.

One afternoon about a week later we were approaching the port of Naples’s from a mission when the alarm went off. While I was running to my battle station the force of a terrible explosion struck me and I found myself in the sea. The cold water revived my senses while I was trying to swim to stay on top. I only could see with one eye but I was shocked to see our ship lying to one side in the shallow water next to the pier. I realised to my horror that I could not move my left arm and I was bleeding from the left side of my head and shoulder. The water was black with diesel and bodies floating everywhere. Sailors were screaming in agony. I felt that all my energy was fading away from me. I just wanted to stop and rest, and that was when I felt some hands pulling me out.

When I woke up again my head and shoulder was wrapped up with bandages and I could only look with my right eye. I realised that I could not move my left shoulder. The explosion had hit me on the left side of my body and shrapnel had gone through my shoulder muscle and the left side of my head must have taken smaller fragments. I looked around and could see that I had been very lucky, as so many others were in a very serious condition. Deep inside me now I was counting my blessings that I was still alive. I was told that German sailors with motorboats had pulled us out of the water. Now we were all in a naval base hospital and I was alive, thanks to the Germans. I could hardly sleep with all the moaning around me, crying and screaming in the ward all night. After two days we were transferred on a special train bound for the navy base hospital at Massa Carrara near La Spezia.

My health was improving and slowly I started moving about in the gardens. Then they moved me to the convalescence building, a nicer relaxing place where I stayed for a month. I was rewarded for my efforts with a promotion to ‘Sotto Capo’ (Second in Charge) announced in the Italian Navy Gazette. Just before I was released the hospital authorities gave me a certificate of disability for the wounds on my left shoulder and head to prove that I been wounded for war services.

In this period Italy was bombarded constantly, mostly from American war planes which could fly very high and could accurately pinpoint their targets. The Italian soldiers were running in and out of the tunnels in the nearby mountains while shrapnel fell all around. Luckily, I was discharged in this period and I was given two week’s leave.

It was very dangerous to travel anywhere in Italy at that time. German troops were very upset that the war was going so badly for them, but I wanted to go home and see my mother, especially now that she knew I had been wounded. I reached home safely and spent some relaxing time with my family.

By the time I reached home it was summer and I was able to lie on the beach and have a swim in my favourite spot. I ate lots of figs and grapes from our property and I was happy after having gone through so much hell. I had to report after my leave to the Navy Auto Depot at La Spezia which was close to the pier where we looked after our trucks and cars. While I was there one evening there was a mysterious silence. A war ship sailed in and tied at the pier while some Navy military police were moving about. One hour later a few cars pulled up close to the ship and people got out and went on board.

The next day we found out that our last king Victorio Emanuele had embarked on the ship that night to escape to Portugal. He was scared for his life because the monarchy was finished in Italy. Our commanding officer told us that General Badoglio was now in charge of Italy and had signed the papers for the armistice with the USA, England and France and that we were free to go home.

Six of us, all from the south of Italy decided to organise a truck with forty gallons of diesel, food, guns, blankets and the rest and drive home. One evening after saying goodbye to the others, we left but we did not get very far. Just out of town, the roads were blocked by German troops. We made a u-turn to try to find another road and we ended up going up a mountain where we found a little village. There we traded our uniforms for some civilian clothes, left everything else and started walking. When night came we would look for a barn to keep dry and warm. By now people all over Italy knew about the armistice and when they saw us we were welcomed with food and a place to sleep. We kept on walking in a southerly direction away from the main roads and asking information here and there to keep in touch about the war. On our way we met other ex-soldiers going home and we passed information to each other on how to avoid the Germans who might take us to concentration camps if we were caught. With the guys from the Navy depot we were still together, some going to Calabria and some to Sicily. When we had the chance of a lift we took it.

We reached the vicinity of Bologna where it was very dangerous and soldiers could be taken as prisoners of the Germans quite easily. We stopped at the outskirts of the railway station while one of us went to look around from behind bushes. We could see German soldiers rounding up young men and marching them away. Quickly we took off for the open country again keeping away from the main road as much as possible. Our shoes were worn out by now. When we approached a homestead they gave us food, clothing and even some shoes from their lost sons in the war.

We eventually came to the Appennini Mountains not far from Florence. Walking along a country road we noticed a tunnel going through to the other side of the mountain, so we took it thinking it was a short cut. But when we were near the end we noticed some movements at the exit so back we went in fear of German soldiers hiding there.

The original six stuck together and on we went on our way south. Now we were told that this was Tuscany and at this time of the year there were plenty of fruit in the farms. On our way we passed some picturesque old castles hundreds of years old. At last we were able to jump on a goods train going very slow. It was so full, that people were sitting of the roof of the carriages. Some American fighter planes flew so low they gave us the scare of our lives. We could also see formations of bomber planes very high in the sky on their way to drop bombs.

By now the Germans were withdrawing. At Mount Cassino a fierce battle was going on which lasted for two weeks. It was near there that I lost my mates and got caught trying to outrun some German soldiers. I was forced to stop running when one of them pointed a rifle at me. I thought this was the end of my travels when they put us on a truck going to some concentration camp. When we arrived we found another several hundred people there, living in tents. I found out they were using us as labourers to fix roads and bridges where the bombs had done a lot of damage. Every morning a column of trucks would bring us to repair roads to keep open their way for withdrawal. We would be there all day, eating only some brown bread and water.

The Americans were advancing more every day and I was scared for my life. There were executions in the German camp all the time and they made us watch them. They were hostile towards us and did not care for human life any more. All this was driving me crazy. How could l escape under the eyes of the guards ready to shoot?

One day on our way to work the convoy of trucks got ambushed by partisans, and a grenade exploded the front jeep, rolling it over and causing panic. Then guns started firing and they lost control over us. We escaped into the forest and ran over the hills. When I had a chance to look back I could not see the Germans any more, thank God!!  I was separated now from my original friends and my instinct was to go far away from the cities and try to catch a ride south. After the scare I had been through I was more cautious now, but I also felt renewed hope; as if I’d been given a second chance in life and that nothing bad would happen to me anymore.

After two days of going from farm to farm for some hand outs of food and water, I was so tired that I collapsed in a barn on some hay and slept for hours till a young girl woke me up. She had some food and wine in a basket for me. The next day I joined with two others that had come during the night and started walking in the direction of Caserta where we were in luck to jump on another goods train. It was so full of people that a mosquito could not fit in and was going so slow that it would have been faster walking. But here I could rest my legs, wedged in with the others. Suddenly I realised that my wallet was gone and I could see the man moving away who had been next to me before. I started screaming and went after him, but I could not get any closer because of the great mass of people. Then the train slowed down and the man jumped off to the ground. I did the same but he was running towards a little village where some mates were waiting for him. I had to stop short just in time when I saw some glittering knives in their hands. It was time to retreat so I ran back just in time to catch the train again on our way to Salerno. American fighter planes were still flying low checking everything. When we got close to the town the train stopped and we had to get out. The tracks had been blown out so we had to keep walking south towards Paola following the railway tracks. When we got close to the highway we could see long columns of American war machines of all sorts going north, a continuous noise day and night.

When we reached Paola it was dusk so we had to find some place to rest. I thought we’d finally reached Calabria and I was astonished after all I had gone through that I was still alive and kicking. Soon I would hug my mother and the rest of the family; although all this time I could not write home so they were not expecting me.

Italy now was in a state of chaos. Luckily enough the allied forces were pushing the Germans further and further north, but my mind was now far away from thoughts of war. I had suffered enough because of it and all l wanted now was to forget, so I followed a road and kept on going while the American soldiers were filing into the countryside in the opposite direction. In the evening I reached the beach that l knew so well. I said goodbye to the others and I sat there looking at the sea waves while my mind went back to my young days, playing, running, joking, jumping in the water. I was a young man, not knowing much of this world, and here l was now looking back. In the time after my very long journey I had been thrown back here for some reason, perhaps to fulfil my own destiny.

No one was at their holiday homes at this time of the year, but there were some people who lived here permanently. There was a shop open where I brought a drink, and a bread roll and I started walking again. I would like to mention that since I started walking from La Spezia three months ago I had worn out four pairs of shoes, and my feet were sore as hell. The road I was walking on now, was the same one I had ridden along on my bike as a young boy. Half a kilometre from the sea still stands a very old bastion, like a sentinel from the past watching for the invaders of long time ago. Five kilometres away on a hilltop still stands an old castle from the Saracens invaders; we call it saint Eufemia Castle. Not very far there is a smaller road that goes to our vineyard called Saint Sidero which my brother was looking after. But when I arrived there was nobody around and being autumn there was nothing to pick. Only olives were on the trees and some prickly pears. But I only wanted to have a look. After a while, I headed for home, more than an hour walking distance away. In town I met some old friends hanging about and started asking questions, but I was very tired and only I wanted to go home and sleep. I found my mother preparing some food and when she saw me she ran straight into my arms crying with joy. For what seemed a very long time she stayed there and after looking me over she still could not find her voice. But nothing was important to her to ask. She was so happy that I was there. She did not like the condition she saw me in after so many months of walking and not much sleep, always wearing the same dirty clothes. Sure, I must have looked to her as a ghost of a man, but she was happy and trembling with joy and kept looking me over. Not long afterwards I dropped on a bed and I was out like a light. When I woke up there were Dominic, Giovanna, and Concetta coming to embrace me. I told them the long story in a few short words of all those months from the north to the south of Italy that I had come.